Old KRCC building still on the market but no interest yet

10/30/08 (Thu)

Out with the old, in with the new. The old was out last Saturday as the Knife River Care Center auctioned off items that didn’t make the move last January to the new facility. Items sold included various fixtures, furniture such as dressers and shelving, commodes, lift chairs, bedding, canes and many more items.

The sale, conducted by Wolff Auctioneers who donated their services, brought in about $6,000 according to KRCC Board President Fred Stern at Monday night’s annual meeting. He said some of the items were those left behind by family after a resident was no longer at the facility.

Stern said the board has been working with EAPC Architects Engineers, Bismarck, on possible renovations that will provide a viable use for the some 30 or more year-old building.

"One use would be apartments. The space would allow for 22 apartments. The problem is the cost of construction, which would be in the excess of $3 million," Stern said.

Stern said the board has also been working with Beulah City Planner John Phillips for ideas and a number of groups with grants as well.

Phillips said he has been in contact with a couple of architects who are looking into possible renovations. One idea was making it a retail area, however, Phillips noted the large facility and chopped rooms would be difficult to fill. He agreed with Stern’s notion that some sort of housing would be the best idea, but costs are a problem.